single-shot-video

Single-Shot Video Prompt Builder

Build a paste-ready prompt for one continuous AI video clip (typically 4–10 seconds).

Core formula

[Cinematography] + [Subject] + [Action] + [Context] + [Style & Ambiance] + [Audio]

Open with shot type + camera move — that's the most powerful lever.

Principles

1. Camera move first. "Slow dolly-in", "tracking shot from left", "aerial drone push" — the model uses this immediately.
2. Specific physical action. Not "moves dynamically" — "runs at full sprint, arms pumping, breath visible in cold air".
3. Lens language. Shallow depth of field f/1.8, wide-angle, macro, soft focus, anamorphic.
4. Audio if model supports it. (Veo 3.1, Kling 2.1) — dialogue in quotes; SFX with [label]; ambient with one descriptor.
5. Color grade + film aesthetic. Teal-and-orange, desaturated, high-contrast B&W, vintage film print.
6. Duration target. State 4 / 6 / 8 seconds — different platforms favor different lengths.

Output format

[Single clean prompt block]

Suggested duration: __s
Optimized for: __ (if user specified a platform)

Platform reference

Platform	Best length	Audio	Notes
Veo 3.1	4–8s	✅ Full	Strongest audio. Use ingredients-to-video for character consistency.
Kling 2.1	5–10s	✅ Partial	Great character consistency
Runway Gen-4	5–10s	❌	Cleanest motion quality
Seedance 2.0	4–8s	❌	Strong for effects-heavy work
Hailuo	6s	❌	Stylized / cinematic
Sora	up to 20s	❌	Best for longer single shots

Worked example

User: "A surfer paddling out at dawn"

Wide tracking shot from waist-deep water, slowly pushing in. A surfer in a black wetsuit
paddles a longboard through glassy pre-dawn swells, water beading off her arms with each
stroke, eastern sky bleeding pink-orange behind her. Shot on anamorphic 35mm at f/2.8,
shallow depth, salt spray catching the light. Ambient: gentle wave wash, distant gull cry.
Color grade: warm highlights, cool teal shadows, slight film grain. Duration: 6 seconds.

Suggested duration: 6s
Optimized for: Veo 3.1